The year 2010 year was not a the best of years for Ecodesign policy implementation in the EU. Only three product Ecodesign implementing measures made it to the final stage of adoption: washing machines, dishwashers and non-domestic fans. This is disappointing compared to the 9 measures that were approved in 2009.
On a positive note, we were happy about the brand new label for televisions despite the fact that negotiations have been slow and painful and the issue of confusing energy efficiency classes A, A+, A++ has not been solved yet.
According to the Coolproducts campaign, EU ecodesign policies are in urgent need of a new dynamism. Solving the issue of continuous delays has become a top priority for us all of us campaigning on this issue, but also for some of the industry lobby groups. This means improving the quality of the preparatory studies, setting clearer deadlines – and sticking to them, establishing better rules for consensus building, working with clearer political guidance. This also probably suggests there may be a need for more dedicated staff at the European Commission. These are some of the challenges that Paul Hodson, the new Head of the Ecodesign unit, and Marie Donnelly, new Director for energy efficiency at DG Energy will face.
But here are some promising things to look forward to.
Standards for boilers and water heaters, the products with the highest energy saving potential, could be decided by this summer after three years of technical debates. We are hoping that a vote by member states on domestic air conditioners could take place around March. We are also soon expecting a final draft on computers and monitors this month, and a vote around April.
But more product requirements are underway, so check our calendar on the press page regularly for more information.
Before the summer, the European Commission is also expected to publish a new Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Later, it plans to revise the Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan. Both plans will directly affect the planned revision of the Ecodesign and the Energy Labelling Directives.
Potentially promising indeed – and we will keep you updated!